Former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso is reportedly in the frame to replace Carlo Ancelotti or Pep Guardiola at Real Madrid or Manchester City this summer..
Earlier this year, Alonso was a target for Liverpool to replace Jurgen Klopp. However, the Spaniard turned Liverpool down, opting instead to remain with Bayer Leverkusen, whom he guided to the Bundesliga title last season.
Instead, Liverpool chose to appoint Arne Slot as Klopp’s replacement. And so far, it is a decision that looks to have paid dividends, with Slot having guided Liverpool to the top of the Premier League after eight games – seven of which have been wins.
Despite turning Liverpool down earlier this year, Alonso now looks set to be in the frame to replace either Ancelotti or Guardiola at one of Real Madrid or Manchester City respectively. The Athletic report City have lined up Alonso as a potential replacement for Guardiola should he leave at the end of the season.
Sky Sports Germany’s Florian Plettenberg has also reported Alonso is a candidate to replace Ancelotti too. Alonso’s contract with Leverkusen runs until 2026, with the Bundesliga side reportedly already lining up the Spaniard’s successors. They are said to be interested in both Stuttgart’s Sebastian Hoeness and former Bayern Munich striker Sandro Wagner, who has been serving as Julian Nagelsmann’s assistant coach for Germany.
Having been in charge of City since 2016, Guardiola is entering the final year of his contract at the Etihad. Speaking about his future back in July, he said: “Nine years in the same club today is an eternity. So I want to be sure that it’s the right decision, not just for me but the club and the players – they run like they did for eight years.
“It doesn’t matter the competition, the tournament, this is what I have to see. I am sure eight more years I won’t stay! It’s good to refresh, for players and managers. At the same time we have had success and are still winning Premier Leagues, arriving in the last stages and we are playing competitions like the Champions League. This is my feeling right now.”